Remember the “47 percent” video that went viral and put the Mitt Romney presidential campaign into a mad scramble? How about the time Elizabeth Warren was called out for claiming she was Native American? Ever wonder how these revelations were unearthed? Perhaps it was a shrewd investigative reporter, or a paid employee from an opposing [...]

Video: Catching the candidates

Remember the “47 percent” video that went viral and put the Mitt Romney presidential campaign into a mad scramble? How about the time Elizabeth Warren was called out for claiming she was Native American? Ever wonder how these revelations were unearthed? Perhaps it was a shrewd investigative reporter, or a paid employee from an opposing [...]

October 26th, 2012

A look at opposition researchers who are harnessing the power of the internet to upend campaigns and reshape the political conversation.Remember the “47 percent” video that went viral and put the Mitt Romney presidential campaign into a mad scramble? How about the time Elizabeth Warren was called out for claiming she was Native American? Ever wonder how these revelations were unearthed? Perhaps it was a shrewd investigative reporter, or a paid employee from an opposing [...]

Video: Florida has toughest ex-felon voting law in nation

Under Gov. Rick Scott's directive, residents convicted of a felony must wait five to seven years after their release before they can begin the process of reinstating their civil rights, which can only be restored through executive clemency: approval from the Governor himself.

October 24th, 2012

In this election cycle, one in ten Florida adults — and nearly one in four African Americans — cannot vote because of a prior felony conviction.Under Gov. Rick Scott's directive, residents convicted of a felony must wait five to seven years after their release before they can begin the process of reinstating their civil rights, which can only be restored through executive clemency: approval from the Governor himself.

Web extra: Maria Padilla

Maria Padilla is the editor of La Prensa newspaper, the largest Spanish-language newspaper in Central Florida. We recently sat down with her to talk about what’s on the minds of Latino voters in the run-up to the election.

October 19th, 2012

Online only interview with Maria Padilla, editor of La Prensa.Maria Padilla is the editor of La Prensa newspaper, the largest Spanish-language newspaper in Central Florida. We recently sat down with her to talk about what’s on the minds of Latino voters in the run-up to the election.

Video: Yo decido

Maria Hinojosa travels to the critical swing state of Florida, where one in seven registered voters is Hispanic.

October 19th, 2012

Maria Hinojosa travels to the critical swing state of Florida, where one in seven registered voters is Hispanic.Maria Hinojosa travels to the critical swing state of Florida, where one in seven registered voters is Hispanic.

Video: The fiscal cliff

Anchor Ray Suarez hosts a round table discussion where experts discuss whether or not the U.S. will go over the "fiscal cliff." Plus, an in-depth look at ways to prevent another recession.

October 12th, 2012

How can we avoid the fiscal cliff and achieve a long-term solution to the economic problems our nation faces?Anchor Ray Suarez hosts a round table discussion where experts discuss whether or not the U.S. will go over the "fiscal cliff." Plus, an in-depth look at ways to prevent another recession.

Video: Watch this week's episode

We travel to Pueblo, Colorado to assess the mood along Main Street in a once-thriving steel town that now depends on the global economy.

October 5th, 2012

We travel to Pueblo, Colorado to assess the mood along Main Street in a once-thriving steel town that now depends on the global economy.We travel to Pueblo, Colorado to assess the mood along Main Street in a once-thriving steel town that now depends on the global economy.

Jeff Greenfield on the muddled middle

As recently as 1976, the Republicans offered a pro-choice candidate--Gerald Ford--and a platform that simply noted widely divergent opinions. By 1980, its candidate--Ronald Reagan--was squarely against abortion, and the platform was to.

September 28th, 2012

If you want a dramatic example of the gap between the most ardent supporters of the two parties and the broad middle of the country, you can’t find a sharper issue than the abortion question.
As recently as 1976, the Republicans offered a pro-choice candidate--Gerald Ford--and a platform that simply noted widely divergent opinions. By 1980, its candidate--Ronald Reagan--was squarely against abortion, and the platform was to.

Video: Why women vote

Elaine Kamarck is a lecturer in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She has worked on six democratic presidential campaigns and is the author of “Primary Politics: How Presidential Candidates have Shaped the Modern Nominating System.” Need to Know anchor Jeff Greenfield speaks with Kamarck about why women tend to lean more [...]

September 28th, 2012

Elaine Kamarck of the Harvard Kennedy School discusses the decision-making process of female voters in the general election. Elaine Kamarck is a lecturer in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She has worked on six democratic presidential campaigns and is the author of “Primary Politics: How Presidential Candidates have Shaped the Modern Nominating System.” Need to Know anchor Jeff Greenfield speaks with Kamarck about why women tend to lean more [...]

Video: Women's choice

Three different women speak on how so-called “women’s issues” will affect the outcome in one of the race's pivotal swing states, Virginia.

September 28th, 2012

Three different women speak on how so-called “women’s issues” will affect the outcome in one of the race's pivotal swing states, Virginia.Three different women speak on how so-called “women’s issues” will affect the outcome in one of the race's pivotal swing states, Virginia.

Video: Watch this week's episode

Need to Know travels to Virginia to look at how women's health policies on the local level may impact the general election.

September 28th, 2012

Need to Know travels to Virginia to look at how women's health policies on the local level may impact the general election.Need to Know travels to Virginia to look at how women's health policies on the local level may impact the general election.

Video: Money & Medicine

As Congress continues its battle over the budget deficit, policy makers are turning their attention to one of the largest driving forces behind the nation’s debt – government health care spending.Money and Medicine tackles the challenges of containing runaway health care spending.

Video: End of life decisions

When is it appropriate to use every available medical technology to extend life at all costs? When is it time to withdraw aggressive or invasive medical care? And, when does it make sense to opt for palliative or hospice care?

September 23rd, 2012

A third of all health care dollars are spent in the last two years of life.When is it appropriate to use every available medical technology to extend life at all costs? When is it time to withdraw aggressive or invasive medical care? And, when does it make sense to opt for palliative or hospice care?

Need to Know is a production of Creative News Group (CNG) in association with WNET. Marc Rosenwasser is Executive Producer. Need to Know is made possible by Bernard and Irene Schwartz, Mutual of America, Citi Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Foundation, Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS.